Permits for gardens no longer needed

Streetscapes will be greener in Oak Bay, now that homeowners will have more space to fill with plants.

Oak Bay council decided this week to eliminate an onerous application process that made it difficult for homeowners to grow plants on municipally owned boulevards in front of their homes.

Following the City of Vancouver’s example, councillors voted to remove the requirement for a permit for boulevard gardens. Oak Bay homeowners can instead refer to a municipal website for directions on where and how to plant.

“We don’t need to create a mini gun registry,” Coun. Allan Cassidy said about making the endeavour as straightforward as possible.

The changes were prompted by complaints from Oak Bay’s head of engineering.

David Marshall said his staff spent an inordinate amount of time inspecting property and regulating applications from homeowners who wanted to pretty up the space between curb and property lines. Between requisite staff site visits and the fact homeowners needed council approval to grow even a few plants, the process was taking weeks, if not months.

As long as gardeners’ plants don’t grow too high, still allow people to exit cars safely and don’t cover up sewer or water lines, residents are now welcome to green their thumbs with boulevard plantings.

Bruce Vallance started growing flowers in front of his St. Patrick Street home several years ago. He now includes vegetables in the streetside garden and a sign encourages passersby to “pick a pea.” He said it’s fantastic that Oak Bay is loosening up the regulations.

“Lots of people come by to ask about what’s growing. As the seasons change, plants in the garden change,” he said. “It’s good for the environment and it’s good for people, too.”

Complaints about gardens that don’t meet the new regulations will be responded to, but municipal staff will not otherwise inspect gardens, a decision that irked one councillor.

“I find it shocking that we don’t go out and check this,” Coun. Hazel Braithwaite said.

But Marshall felt homeowners would follow guidelines if they were clearly laid out. Those guidelines should be available on the municipal website (www.oak baybc.org) within two months. Notification could also be sent out with annual water bills, Coun. Pam Copley suggested.

Oak Bay will now be the most accommodating when it comes to boulevard gardens. Saanich homeowners still need permits for planting on boulevards, but don’t have to submit drawings or have site inspections. Saanich issues about 60 permits a year.

The City of Victoria is still working on a boulevard garden policy. Unlike Oak Bay and Saanich, Victoria’s boulevards are generally separated from private property lines by a sidewalk. Boulevard planting requests are done on a one-off basis.

vmoreau@saanichnews.com